Poppy Lou

Sorry again for the delay, hope you have now got my email regarding Gloria's contact details.I haven't heard from her since she agreed to go ahead so I hope all is progressing well.

Thanks for the advice ( and the compliments ), I'll work on that. It's been a great learning process for me, and hard work, but I have at last began to understand html a little better. I've probable updated it since you last looked at it, I've created buttons instead of just having text - only simple ones though.Regarding the "professionals" I have been referring to there is little or no differnce between them and the amateur artists. In fact I think some of the amateur works are better than the professionals. Apparently to be classed as professional you must be making a living from your work, but for most of the individuals I am referring to that just isn't the case. They have assigned themselves the title. Have you decided yet if you want any of the paintings? Can't wait to see which you choose, what a sad life I lead. Thanks again

You could go on discussing this subject forever and still have no real answers. It all comes down to faith in what you believe, not proof. We are just mere mortals and it's far too big for us to understand, it comes back to the age old question " if God made us, who made God?". You just have to trust that He is and will be forever. There are a couple of things I think we should bear in mind. Firstly, remember that the bible was written by man, and as such is a powerful weapon in dictating how we ought to live our lives. There are many " instructions " contained in this book which have a powerful influence over relevant current day issues, for instance marriage between single sex couples. Who says it's wrong - God or man. Who Knows? Another thing we just ought to live by what we believe in and not judge the beliefs of others. There's enough information around for people to make an informed choice. For me,I would never say there is not a God just in case there is.

I think this has got a little bit out of hand and I apologise for that. You are completely correct in saying I wasn't asking for advice etc., it just kind of evolved.I also think I didn't explain the situation clearly from the beginning, When I speak of these "professional artists", I'm not actually taliking about real pros. These are people already in other employment and have sold some of their work. They are not dependent on their art to survive. So really they are no different from us amateurs other than they have set thenselves apart and formed a group which has become quite powerful in that they seem to be "runnning the show". It pains me to say it but we are as guilty for letting them getting away with it. It's difficult to really explain what things are like but there's a lot of anger about what's going on and Ijust wanted to get it off my chest. I did take the comment "unprofessional" the wrong way, I applied it to me as a person and not the website - guess that's just an indication of what I'm feeling right now. So what more can I say but I'm sorry for obviously upsetting you. Oh and I forgot to say thanks for motivating me into trying to make the site look better .

I find somre people would rather be critical than helpful. Ok they might have a skill they're proud of but if that were me, I'd much rather encourage and share than sit back and be smug and arrogant. I hope when they need help with something they don't get a negative response. There's something positive come out of being unprofessional though, it's spurred me on to try to completely rebuild the site. So wish me luck. Look forward to hearing from you, can't wait to see which ones you choose.

It might not seem like it at the moment but you will earn a lot of respect for standing up for what you believe in. It won't happen overnight but as your friends realise you are sticking to your guns they'll admire you for it. Of course, that's if they are true friends - you'll always get some idiots who try to persuade you to be like them. But who wants to be an idiot? It might even happen that once your friends realise the bad effect alcohol can have - and that they can enjoy life without it -, they decide to join you and give up the booze. Personally I am not opposed to alcohol but I do think it should only be taken in moderation so that it doesn't become the ruling factor in your life.

I'm new to web design, no training or anything - just straight from my head. Thought I'd done OK for a first attempt, didn't expect it to be professional looking but then I'm not a professional. But I tried my hardest.As I'm learning, I'm changing things as I go on, in fact I'm working on the home page right now trying to correct the very things you suggest. The I'll look at the links page. I tell you I'm really green, I didn't think about screen resolutions. I'm also having problems with tables so please bear with me. Your site is excellent, I hope I get to that level some day. I have no problems at all with you collaborating with the artists involved in the site - just send emails to the address on the site and I'll forward them on. Thanks for your constructive comments, I was a bit unhappy last night after reading last comments, I felt they were a bit harsh.

I think every case has to be looked at individually. I agree that waiting 5 months to abort the child is extreme but there may be circumstances where this could not have been avoided. Maybe the woman has mental health problems or a learning disability. or if for instance rape or incest is the cause she has been too traumatised to deal with it. But in any situation, as in all abortions, it should never be allowed to become the norm.

I think you are being quite presumtious in assuming the site is completely unknown and creates virtually "0" exposure. How do you come to these incorrect conclusions. Just for your information, in the three weeks since the site has been running there have been over 750 hits and approx 150 paintings posted. It is also linked to a number of other similar sites. Surely if only one painting was sold it would be worth spending a couple of minutes answering an email. Sure, the site address is https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/

I am an amateur artist. A few weeks back I, and another member of an art class I attend, set up a website to enable artists to display their work and hopefully received help and advice - or just general comments. The site caters for amateur and professional adults and there's also a gallery for kids.We've had loads of imput fron the kids and amateur adults but what a pain the professionals have proved to be. The only ones who have contributed so far are those we know personally, others ( without exception ) haven't even bothered to reply emails.So what's it all about? You would think they'd be happy to have somewhere to advertise their work but then maybe they don't like mixing with us amateurs. Too elitist perhaps? I'm not talking here about top professionals but those who live locally and sell their work as a way of earning a living.We also have a gallery near by which is run by volunteers and is supposed to be open for everyone and with equal opportunites for all. What a farce, there are rules for a select few of these professionals and another set for everyone else.So what it amounts to is this, these few get loads of space to display their work and then what's left is divided between the majority. Our amateurs therefore have little or no chance of becoming professional.Seems to me that it's a great pity that the professionals don't feel able to share their knowledge and experience. They must have been where we are at some time.I wonder if it's the same the world over, this divide. Or is it just one set of people who perhaps see themselves as above all overs?

When I ask Trap 17 to host my site, do I have to upload immediately? If not, how long do I have before I need to upload or is there no time limit?This is probably documented somewhere but I can't find it. Apologies if this is so. Notice from BuffaloHELP: Topic title modified and description filled. Please fill all topic area.

Let me make it clear that I don't ignore their talent, I just want everyone else's talent to be appreciated in the same way.Maybe " overhauling " does sound like communism but that wasn't my intention. I was only making the point that there should be a realistic pay system rather than the one we already have. Of course there are always going to be jobs that pay higher than others, but kicking a ball about versus saving lives or providing basic needs such as food - well come on!

I have Frontpage and Dreamweaver. I am OK using Frontpage but still getting to grips with Dreamweaver, I am not very experienced in site building and only know the basics in html. I like the idea of the split screen in Dreamweaver where you can use html and see your site developing.However I've just downloaded Firstpage 2006 and I'm especially impressed with the column on the left hand side which shows html language - it's just what I've been looking for. And it has the split screen.Can't wait to get going with it, hope it lives up to my expectations.AND IT'S FREE

Whilst I agree with this in many respects, I am concerned about the detrimental effects this might bring about. It would be much nicer - and healthier - to live in a smoke free environment, but far less pleasant to be surrounded by people who are anxious, depressed, miserable and totally stressed out.It's easy to say that all one needs to quit smoking is willpower. Maybe for some strong minded people it is, but what about those who don't find it so easy. Let's not forget that nicotine is a very powerful drug, some say even more potent than heroin.What about thoses individuals whose quality of life is already poor and who have an obsessional addiction to cigarettes. Even with quit smoking aids, the process of giving up the cigarette is going to be touching impossible, there is an undeniable need to replace the cigarette with something else but if you have little else in your life how do you achieve this?And what about those smokers who's only source of interaction with others take place in pubs, clubs etc. Should we be easy in the knoowledge that they may become totally isolated. Wouldn't it have een better to have a mixture of smoking/non-smoking venues. A non-smoker would always have the choice of whether or not to frequent these establishments, either as an employee or patron.I only hope that when this comes into force, my predictions don't come true.And how are they going to police it anyway.

My favourite season is definitely winter. There's nothing more cosy than sitting in front of the fire watching the snow falling outside. Whether it be snow or frost there is not a more beautiful sight than a winter's landscape just waiting to be put down on canvas.And going to bed at night with a cup of Horlicks, a good book and a trusty hot water bottle.And of course we get Christmas, in my life that means a time of sharing with family and friends. And when the snow does fall, everything seems so much quieter and peaceful. Almost serene.A beautiful time of year.

I have a real problem with the level of pay footballers' receive in view of the "job" they do. I know it's not only a matter of a few lads kicking a ball about, I realise they have to do a lot of training and there must be a lot of pressure on them both time wise and for always being in the public eye. But I ask myself, why so much money?What about firefighters for instance? They have to do a lot of training, are under pressure all the time, are always in the public eye and risk their lives every day of their working week. And yet what do they receive? A pittance!!! It Is immoral.And then there's the way some footballers behave on the pitch. In any other circumstance they would be jailed for their aggressive attacks on other players - and sometimes spectators. No jail for them, just loads of cash!It's about time a complete overhaul of our country's pay system took place. Divide the money out fairly, let footballers and other similarly highly paid individuals have less and up the wages of those people who we are totally dependent on to live safe and secure lives.Well that's my opinion anyway.